Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
Chapel Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1HP
01903221447
Website: http://www.worthingmuseum.co.uk/
Parent Organisation:
Funded by:
Local Authority
YLM Entry Submitted: Yes
Comments:
How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance, pre-Christian or in other way Pagan?:
All the remains in the museum are believed to be pre-Christian. The museum holds approximately 42 Roman and AngloSaxon remains from a single excavation site of Highdown Hill, along with a handful of mixed cremations from Neolithic sites, and a small selection of remains from other Roman and Anglo Saxon sites which are unidentified.
Total: 45
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
95% of the remains are well documented and the information published. The others were excavated by local societies and amateur archaeologists, chiefly prior to the 1920s, and then handed over to the museum, but unfortunately associated information about the number of inhabitants in each grave or location of finds is patchy and may be unrecorded and unrecoverable. It is the view of the current museum team that all such remains should be treated with respect and reverence. Work is ongoing to assess and improve the care of the remaining human remains following completion of an inventory in 2010.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:
All the remains are available for serious academic research. A record was not kept of researchers until 2005, however restrictions are placed for this collection on those who can prove that their work is of serious academic merit.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?
The museum offers an education session on burial practices and the scientific rationale behind the collection, and use of human remains for archaeological purposes, to colleges and schools. It is handled with considerable care, including a discussion of the philosophical issues arising for Pagan groups, and was developed in conjunction with ESAMP.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:Yes
The museum is accredited by the MLA and has an approved Disposal Policy in line with current legislation. It is however currently seeking to review its acquisition and disposal policy with particular regard for archaeological collections.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
The museum has a card catalogue and presently makes information available on request. They intend to transfer this information to a searchable database which, in due course, will be made available online. The project is expected to take between 3-5 years to completed, but that is subject to further funding.
Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:Yes
There is a single display dating from the 1970s on skeletal material from Highdown Cemetery. Its context is as an example of a grave, with the goods found alongside it. The museum has recently sought funds to replace this and other displays (from the HLF), but was unsuccessful. When further funds are available (and they are still being sourced), this display will be replaced and the human remains removed from display. Although it is offered as a scientific and archaeological presentation, in the professional and personal opinion of the museum staff member who filled in the questionnaire, the display is not seen to be something the current museum team are entirely comfortable with. It remains popular with the public however, and no Pagan group has commented.
Does the museum hold any iconic ancestors, ie. complete skeletons with a well documented story, or those considered of national or local importance, and are these on display?:
No.
Has the museum used or considered using replicas in displays? If not, why not and what would you find useful in moving to these? If you have, what response did these receive?:
Documents:
26 August, 2008
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